We make use of cookies to enhance your user experience. By clicking "OK" without altering your cookie preferences, you are giving us your consent to use cookies. For further information, please read our information on the use of cookies.OK

Ten things on Philipp Lahm

vor 2 Stunden

Philipp Lahm retired from international football after captaining Germany to the 2014 FIFA World Cup titleBayern's Mr. Versatile has been deployed in a more attacking role during the 2014/15 campaignThe 31-year-old suffered a broken ankle in training in November 2014, but made his comeback in Matchday 25's 4-0 win at SV Werder Bremen

Munich - After lifting his first piece of silverware as captain with the 2012/13 Bundesliga title, eight more trophies would follow before FC Bayern München and Germany full-back Philipp Lahm announced his retirement from the international game.

Here are a few things you may not have known about Munich's favourite son...

Before signing an amateur contract with Bayern Munich, Lahm's career of choice wasn't quite what you might have expected. For quite a while the Munich-born defender had his heart set on a career in baking, before switching his attentions to the banking industry.

Growing up in the Munich borough of Gern, joining local outfit FT Gern seemed a logical step. Lahm did so at the age of five when a friend persuaded him to come for a trial with the club his father had already played for, and where his mother is still in charge of the youth department.

In 1995, mighty FC Bayern came calling and signed up 11-year-old Lahm, who swiftly worked his way through the ranks, playing in his accustomed positions at left- and right-back as well as a holding midfielder. He enjoyed success with the Under-19s, winning the national championship both in 2001 and 2002.

Lahm was the youngest ever team captain to lead Germany in a FIFA World Cup when in 2010, aged 26, the three-time World Champions finished third in South Africa. Like in 2006 as well as in UEFA Euro 2008, Lahm was also selected in the tournament's all-star XI.

Lahm's life isn't all about football, of course. He married Claudia Schattenberg in the summer of 2010, only a couple of days after the World Cup. Only close family and friends were invited to the church in the Bavarian village of Kleinhelfendorf where the wedding took place, 15 years after the couple got to know each other. They have a son called Julian.

Lahm set up the Philipp Lahm Foundation for Sport and Education in 2007 following a visit to South Africa in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup. "I had a great start to life and got support all along the road to success as a professional footballer," he is quoted as saying on the foundation's website. "Now I want to help others who haven’t been as lucky as I have - both here in Germany and on the African continent."

A sportsman through and through, Lahm likes to play table tennis, golf, snooker and darts. Table tennis tournaments are being played on a regular basis in both the Germany and Bayern camps, with Lahm mostly coming out on top and team-mate Thomas Müller more often than not a close second.

Lahm made plenty of space on his bedroom walls not just for former Bayern stars Jürgen Klinsmann, Giovane Elber, Lothar Matthäus and Oliver Kahn, but also for iconic basketball figures and Chicago Bulls greats Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. Nowadays, the 29-year-old is an avid follower of tennis legend Roger Federer.

For Lahm, the winter break used to be all about a bit of fun on the ski slopes with his pals. Nowadays, with his wife and child in tow, a spot of relaxation across the border in Austria is the preferred jaunt of choice. As for the summer months, the Lahms favour "a bit of snorkelling, swimming, enjoying the bright sides of life," usually in the Maldives or Seychelles.

Much like his thoughtful and no-nonsense approach to football, Lahm is no less shrewd when it comes to counting the pennies. "I'm very conservative in terms of making investments," he told the Stern magazine. "Some of my money I've invested in funds, but most of it I have in a fixed-interest bank account. I don't like taking risks."

Compiled by Felix Seaman-Höschele

Free!

Get the Bundesliga newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up today!